Washing machine



' Dec. 10, 1 940. B. A. BENSON WASHING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1938 INVENT OR. ri 0.5622502;

ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 10, 1940 UNITED STATES WASHING MACHINE Bernhart A. Benson, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Chicago Electric Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application April 14, 1938, Serial No. 201,947

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to a washing machine and more particularly to a device of the class where the removal of dirt from the articles to be washed is accomplished through the creation of a turbulence in the washing fluid.

The present invention more specifically comprehends the provision of a washing machine of the class wherein an agitator is supported within a washing compartment or container and is mounted for oscillation, preferably being actuated in an oscillatory movement from a source of power arranged above the agitator. I

In structures of this class the agitator supporting and centering means may comprise an upstanding pivot or pintle mounted in the washing compartment, the agitator being formed with a mating recess to engage about the pintle and provide a relatively rotatable bearing surface. In spite of the fact that the region in the vicinity of the agitator supporting pivot is normally, during actuation of the machine, occupied by a body of soapy fluid, it has nevertheless been found that the relatively movable parts are frequently insufliciently lubricated. It is, of course, unfeasible to introduce lubricating oils or greases into the washing zone of such a device and, accordingly, this portion of the machine cannot be lubricated in the normal manner.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to obviate the above difficulties and to provide a washing machine of the above general type wherein the agitator supporting means is so constructed and arranged as to admit the wash ing fluid freely to the bearing surfaces at all times during normal operation so that the bearing surfaces of the relatively movable parts are lubricated with soapy water. I

Another object of the present invention is to provide an agitator as above having a bearing recess for engaging about a supporting pintle, said bearin recess being open adjacent both ends for permitting free access and circulation of the washing fluid to the bearing surfaces.

The present invention yet further comprehends the provision of a washing machine having a washing compartment with a generally superposed, removable cover comprising power means for actuating the agitator.

Among other objects of the present invention are to provide a washing machine as above in which the number of parts is reduced and at the same time highly simplified in character; to pro- I 1 vide a washing machine having an agitator supported and pivoted from below and driven from above, wherein the agitator is closely positioned adjacent the lower portion of the washing compartment to produce a more complete and thorough agitation of the washing fluid.

Numerous other objects and advantages will more fully appear during the course and progress 5 of the following specification.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention. 10

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation taken centrally through the washing machine of Figure l on the line 2-2 thereof. I

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the vapor releasing valve or vent, the parts being shown in disassembled relationship.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional elevation taken on the line 44 in Figure 2.

Figures 5 and 6 are detail sectional elevations taken through the edge of the cover and showing modified preferred forms of juncture between the cover edge and the washing tub.

The device, shown for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, comprises a suitable vessel or container forming a washing compartment for enclosing a body of washing fluid containing the articles to be washed. The vessel illustrated by the reference numeral Ill comprises a cylindrical, upstanding wall 12 open at the upper end but closed at the lower end by the transverse bottom wall l4. It should be noted that the upper edge of the wall I2 is turned over to form an annular, rounded bead l6 providing a supporting foundation for the annular friction ring l8 which supports the removable cover assembly generally indicated by the reference numeral 20. The friction ring l8 has a substantially circular section interrupted by the removal of a portion of the surface to permit passage of the wall I2. In other words, the member 18 com- 40 prises a continuous, annular tube which is severed throughout its length in a line extending continuously around the inner, annular wall thereof.

Attention is particularly directed to the fact 45 that the rounded bead l6 projects outwardly of the surface of the wall ill for the reason that this arrangement permits the annular friction ring I8 to be readily engaged about the bead and to subsequently remain in the position shown 50 against any possibility of inadvertent ,disassembly.

More specifically, it has been found preferable to form the friction member ll of some resilient material, s ch as rubber, as a result of which the assembly may be merely accomplished by opening application Serial No. 175,450, filed November The agitator 22 of the washing machine is mounted andpositioned for rotation upon the pivot pin or pintle 24 which is rigidly secured centrally of the bottom wall H of the vessel l2 by means of the nut 26. The pivot 24 further comprises a radially extending shoulder or flange 28 for supporting the thrust resulting from the weight of the agitator and for spacing this member from the bottom wall l4of the vessel sufliciently to permit rotation. The agitator, shown for purposes of illustration, comprises three agitating vanes 30 secured to a central column 3!. The column is provided at its lower end with a downwardly facing, axially extending bore 32 providing a recess adapted to engage about the pivot or pintle 24. In other words, the fixed pin 24 is in eifect journalled within the recess 32, the inner wall of which provides a bearing surface.

It will be noted that the journal provided by the pivot 24 and the recess -32 is located in the normal washing zone and for this reason it is undesirable to lubricate the relatively movable parts thereof with oil and grease in the conventional manner. Since the agitator 22 may, under certain conditions, operate under a relatively heavy load, it is important to reduce the friction at this point ,and to this end the present invention provides the aperture 34 in the side of the column 30 which communicates with the recess 32 and the washing zone exteriorly of the column. As a result the soapy fluids, normally employed in the washing, pass freely through the aperture 34, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 2, and

may, under the influence of normal turbulence, circulate about the pivot 24 and along the surfaces thereof as well as the upper bearing sur faces of the flange 28 for reducing the friction.

The upper end of the column 3 l of the agitator has pinned thereto as at 36 a sleeve or bushing. 38 engageable with a hexagonal st b drive shaft 40 on the drive unit, to be hereinafter described more in detail.

The cover 20 for the washing vessel III has a convex upper surface terminating in the reversely curved, annular flange 42 about its edge, the outer curve of the flange being so proportioned as to permit it to seat upon the curved surface of the friction ring l8. Attention is particularly directed to the fact that the cover, as viewed in Figure 2, extends downwardly adjacent the flange to a point below the upper edge of the bead l6, as indicated by the reference numeral 44. As a result of this construction, the inner portion of the flange ;42 engages inside the rim of the vessel i6 and centers the cover. at all times with respect to the vessel. This feature isbf importance since the drivemeans for the agitator, being mounted on the cover, must always be maintained in proper operative alinement therewith.

The cover is provided with a pair 01' steam or vapor vents comprising circular apertures 46 in which are mounted valve or closure members, shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 3. Each closure member comprises a central body portion 48 having a lesser diameter than the diameter of the apertures 46 and surmounted by a relatively widely flanged head or cap portion 50 which covers the apertures 46, as shown in Figure 2, and extends for a relatively great distance beyond the periphery thereof. The valve members are retained in position in the apertures 46 through the agency of a retaining member 52 secured to the end of the body portion 48 as by upsetting.

It will be noted that the retaining member 52 comprises three equi-distant arms spaced by inwardly curved edges so that the vapors may freely pass through the apertures 46 even though the interior pressure has forced the valve members outwardly so that the retaining member 52 resides against the inner face of the cover. It is important to note that this structure provides for release of excess vapors resulting from the heating of the interior washing emulsions, in such a manner as to direct these vapors along the outer surface of the cover. In other words, as opposed to liberating steam vapors, for example, directly outwardly of the cover and possibly toward the operator, the edges of the cap 50 tend to turn the escaping vapors in a direction radially of the valve member to expend its force harmlessly.

The driving unit for'the washing machine is indicated generally by the reference numeral 53 and comprises an electric motor 54 arranged within the housing 56and having its drive shaft alined in generally vertical relationship above the central column 3i of the agitator when in normal operative relationship. The housing 56 is cylindrical and closed at one end as at 58, the other end being open and provided with the outwardly projecting flange 60 bolted to the central portion of the cover 20 as at 62.

The housing 56 also engages about a transmission unit 64 which is further secured to the'cover as by machine screws 66. This transmission unit may be the same as that disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 175,450, flled November 19, 1937, and its specific structure forms no part of the present invention. The purpose of this transmission unit 64 is to transform the rotary movement of the motor 54 into a form suitable for driving the agitator, preferably in a short, reversing, arcuate motion. The hexagonal stub shaft 40 hereinbefore described delivers the power transmitted through the transmission unit directly to the agitator by interlocking with the hexagonal recess in the bushing 36.

The armature 68 of the present driving motor 64 is mounted on the shaft 10 which is in turn iournalled in the bearing 12 rigidly held by the bearing supporting spider 14. The bearing supporting spider is mounted rigidly on the fixed portion of the motor as at '6.

In the embodiment shown, the end of the motor shaft is provided with a fan 18 which su lies a draft of air to the motor through a plurality of slits or louvres in the end wall 56 of the housing. The fan comprises a central hub 62 extending through an aperture in the fan blade and headed over as at 64 to maintain the parts in assembled relationship. The set screw 66 releasably secures the bushing and fan in opera2-' by a sleeve 88 of some oil absorbent material, such as felt. In this instance the felt sleeve is co-axial with the shaft and maybe arranged to rotate therewith.

Attention is further directed to the fact that the central portion of the fan blade is depressed to form a concave cup-like section 90 which resides directly under an oil hole 92 in the upper wall 58 of the motor housing. Accordingly, oil introduced through the oil hole 92 is collected through the cup-like depression'flll in the fan blade from whence it is permitted to flow through the aperture or conduit 84 downwardly along the outer face of the hub 82 until it reaches the sleeve 88 where it is absorbed and held adjacent the shaft 10 and the bearing 12 for lubrication thereof.

In use, it will be understood that the agitator is driven through the agency of power originating in the motor 54 and transmitted through the transmission 64 to the stub shaft 40. The cover, including the driving mechanism, can be removed any time by merely lifting the assembly as a unit so that the stub shaft 40 is retracted from the recess in the sleeve 38. Thereupon the agitator may be freely lifted from the pivot or pintle 24 to complete disassembly of the apparatus for storage and cleaning.

In operation, the parts may be assembled in reverse order with a body of soapy liquid and the articles to be washed arranged within the compartment formed by the vessel 10. Electrical power will be supplied to the motor through the agency of the electrical conduit 94 until the turbulence produced by the agitator has sufficiently carried out the washing process.

Inaccordance with the present invention it is comprehended that the motor and transmission means be separated from the washing compartment by suitable partitions and seals since it is obviously of importance to prevent oil and other drippings from entering the washing zone. It is to be noted, however, that in the event that any of these means should fail in the slightest degree, any drippings would necessarily follow along the downwardly projecting surfaces of the drive unit to the lower end of the stub drive shaft 40 and would immediately be caught in the upwardly extending cup formed by the sleeve 38.

The capacity of the cup formed by this sleeve is suflicient to accommodate any amount of oil or drippings which could be released by the mechanism during any one period of use and, follow ing disassembly of the device, will readily be noted by the operator whereupon steps may be taken to service the mechanism.

Two modified preferred forms 01' cover seals are shown in Figures 5 and 6. Referring first to Figure 5, it will be noted that the cover 20 extends gradually downwardly to the lowermost portion 44 and then extends upwardly again in an inclined annular flange 95 terminating in the flat, outwardly projecting flange 86. According to this embodiment, the resilient, frictional member, in-

; stead of being mounted on the rolled, beaded edge of the washing vessel I8, is mounted upon the outwardly projecting flange 98 and has a U-shaped portion 98 which engages the flange 96, as clearly shown in the figure. The lower branch of the U-shaped portion 98 terminates in the downwardly inclined section H which resides against the lower, outer surface of the inclined portion 95 of the cover.

It is to be noted that the downwardly inclined wall I08 01' the resilient sealing member has projecting therefrom a pair of outwardly extending, spaced, annular ribs or flanges I02. Since the ribs or flanges I02, when mounted upon thecover 20, have an annularperiphery of greater diameter than that of the inner face of the cylindrical container l0," they flex. as clearly shown in Figure 5, when the cover is brought into operative position with respect to the container and, accordingly, when so arranged in this manner, the cover is, not only sealed to the container, butis properly centered with respect thereto. This feature is of great importance in connection with devices of the present class for the reason that the containers and covers may be much more expenditiously manufactured when the dimensions are not limited to close tolerances and as a result may provide a relatively great variation between the form of the covers and the upper edge of the container. In spite of any such variation in relative size of the parts, the annular, outwardly extending, resilient ribs I02 will flex to adjust themselves to the space between the cover and the container. It is, moreover, important to note that, since these'members I02 extend completely about the periphery of the cover, they tend to press resiliently against the inner wall of the container on all sides so that, when situated therein, they in reality center the cover assembly with respect to the container with considerable accuracy.

In accordance with the modified form of cover seal shown in Figure 6, an annular strip 104 of highly resilient material, such as sponge rubber. is mounted as by vulcanizlng upon the downwardly inclined wall Hi0 of the frictional sealing member. Accordingly, when the cover 20 is arranged in the washing container, as hereinbefore mentioned, the highly resilient, annular strip IE4 will flex upwardly against the inner'surface of the container to seal the opening and center the operative parts. It will be understood that the sealing member will be formed of rubber or any other suitable frictional material.

The present invention provides a highly simplified washing machine capable of being produced at low cost in which the washing compartment comprises a vessel which is free from rotary seals, packings or other elements subject to leakage. The movable parts, while adequately supported during operation, are provided with lubrication at all times.

It is thought that the'invention and numerous of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts wthout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the form herein described being a preferred embodiment for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In a washing machine comprising an upstanding washing vessel adapted to receive wash and a detergent washing fluid, a rotatable agitator removably located within said vessel, a cover for said vessel, drive and transmission means releasably interccnnectable with the agitator in the vessel, said vessel having an upstanding pivot pin mounted permanently in its lower portion and extending upwardly for removably pivoting said agitator, the agitator comprising a central vertically extending closed column, said column being provided with an axial blind bore extending upwardly from the lower extremity 'thereof and sectionally complementary to said pin for engaging the pin in bearing relationship,

said bore extending vertically beyond the extremity of said pin, and conduit means formed later- '5 ally in the lower portion of said column but above the extremity of said pin and providing lateral communication between the lower portion of said' washing vessel and the upper extremity of said pin receiving bore, said conduit being operative 10f to facilitate continual circulation of washing fluid about said pivot pin under the influence of rotation of said agitator within the washing vessel.

2. In a washing machine comprising an upstanding washing vessel adapted to receive wash 15' and a detergent washing fluid, a rotatable agitator removably located within said vessel, a cover for said vessel, drive and transmission means releasably interconnectable with the agiformed laterally in the lower portion of said col-l 10 umn and providing lateral communication between the lower portion of said washing vessel,

said conduit being operative to facilitate continual circulation of washing fluid about said pivot pin under the influence of rotation of said 15 agitator within the washing vessel.

BERNHART A. BENSON. 

